Jones wants to be in pole position

Steve Jones is anxious to claim a starting role for Northern Ireland on Saturday when they begin their World Cup qualifying campaign at Windsor Park against Poland.

The Crewe striker hopes his recent good form has caught the eye of manager Lawrie Sanchez.

He is eager to get at the Poles who lost 5-1 to Denmark in a recent friendly.

“They won’t relish coming to Windsor Park,” Jones told the Stoke Sentinel.

“The qualifiers are going to be a tremendous thing to play in and I’m looking forward to it. I just hope I get a chance.

“Lawrie has been superb and said I would be in his squad. That is great news for me.”

Northern Ireland go into the match in buoyant mood after some fine performances that has seen the team go unbeaten in six matches.

Jones added: “We’ve had a good string of results.

“The squad has been together for a long time and hopefully things are starting to click.”

Northern Ireland will not have time to rest after the Poland match as they face Wales in another qualifier the following Wednesday in Cardiff.